CMU receives accreditation for surgical residency in Saginaw

The Central Michigan University College of Medicine today announces the accreditation of its surgical residency program and will welcome surgical residents to Saginaw this July.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved the residency, which is supported by CMU Medical Education Partners — a collaboration among CMU, St. Mary's of Michigan and Covenant HealthCare.

With the most recent accreditation, CMU and its Saginaw-area partners will have 114 medical residents in seven programs: surgery, family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, podiatry, and psychiatry. More than 7,000 candidates applied for 36 first-year residency positions.

"The accreditation for our surgical residency is a result of the combined commitment of our faculty and overwhelming support of St. Mary's of Michigan, Covenant HealthCare and our physician partners," said Dr. John Blebea, chair of surgical disciplines.

Saginaw has a long history of physician residency programs affiliated with Covenant, St. Mary's and their predecessors. Many physicians practicing intheregion today spent their residency years in Saginaw, Blebea said.

"The surgical residency is an essential asset for Central's College of Medicine," said Dr. Samuel Shaheen, executive director of CMU Medical Education Partners. "In addition to providing opportunities for residents to learn and practice in Saginaw, it adds mentors for medical students, augments patient care and provides resources to area hospitals."

Accreditation has been a priority for Dr. George Kikano, dean of the College of Medicine, since he joined the university in 2015. CMU also offers graduate fellowships in emergency medical services and simulation/education.